One comment from early in Rivera's presser is likely to be misunderstood, and it's not that he explained it badly (just the opposite) but rather the fact that one of the terms he used has become so cliched' that it makes it easy to miss what he was really trying to say.

The word in question: "Balance" :sosp:

Regarding the offense, he said that he wants to have "a balanced attack". Now, folks hearing that might automatically assume he means an even run-pass ratio, but that's not really what he's talking about when you listen further.

Explaining the concept of balance, Rivera said that by balance he meant, "when you have to throw it, you will throw it; when you have to run it, you have to run it, but you choose to."

So what does that mean?

It means he doesn't like being dictated to :smash:

Rivera spoke at length about wanting to have an attacking, aggressive style on both defense and offense. Thus, what he's looking for on both sides of the ball is for our team to always control the game, set the pace, and force the other team to be the ones that have to react and adapt.

So let's say, for example, that we're facing a team that's strong against the run but vulnerable to the pass. That is one of those situations where you "have to pass". On the flipside, say you're facing a small, speedy defense that defends well against the pass but is weak against the run. That's when you "have to run". Facing someone that's solid overall? Out-execute them. Hit them with something they don't expect and make them play your game, because that's what you choose.

Ah, but how can you do all those things?

That's where "balance' comes in :thumbsup:

What Rivera wants is a Panthers team that's adaptable and capable of running whatever kind of game plan will work best against their opponent. A team that can power run, air-it-out, razzle-dazzle, whatever's needed.

John Fox wanted balance too, sort of. His primary focus was on the run game, and the passing game was only there to keep defenses honest. It's an approach that can work, but it malso meant that teams preparing to face the Panthers pretty much always knew what to expect. Rivera won't operate that way. He wants teams coming into Charlotte with no idea what we're gonna hit them with (and thus, no set answers).

If that "pick your poison" approach sounds familiar to you, it should. That's how New England likes to operate. Rivera wants the Panthers to work that way too. Make no mistake, that's not an easy thing to put together. You have to have the right players to do it, guys that can learn and execute whatever you tell them to. It'll take some roster tweaking before we're at that level, but that's what Rivera has in mind when he talks about sitting down with Hurney and his people and hashing things out.

Bottom Line: No more sitting back and reacting on either side of the ball.

What I dont understand is how you a DC HC and dont know squat about offenses. If you see that the league is changing to a lot of pass plays, you're offense should be getting with the times. As a DC you should see this

That was Fox problem. Inability to accept change and he stayed so stubborn

"Innovative" was one of my favorites. I think you have it right Mr.Scot, he's going to make use of all his tools & use them differently when the situation calls for another look. What new formations will be unveiled come September? 8 months is a long time

Great post Mr. Scot, glad to hear we have a coach who feels the best philosophy is the one that produces a win.

In general, I think coaches fail when they get too married to any one philosophy, the NFL has evolved so as a coach you have to evolve with it or you become obsolete. We have another example of this in town, Larry Brown was trying to make his players match his philosophy instead of looking at the players he had and adapting his philosophy to get the most out of them. Silas rolled into town and decided to adapt a philosophy that best suits the talent he has and they have won 4 out of the last 6 games after getting blown out by double-digits in several games leading up to Brown's dismissal.

Rivera has already demonstrated his willingness to evolve by taking a job as the defensive coordinator of a 3-4 defense in San Diego after being a student of the 4-3 defense in every other stop he made up to that point. When he got the DC job in San Diego, he didn't try to adapt the team to his philosophy... he adapted his philosophy to the team so he could make the most out of the talent he had.